a quiet corner on the info superhighway for the rantings and ruminations of a geezer bemused by modern society. political correctness is left at the curb.
"An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life.
Robert A. Heinlein "

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Killdeer chicks are quiet

This year's clutch of killdeeer chicks. Momma was freaking out when I got close enough to take this picture. There were three chicks and one remaining egg. The three chicks did not move even slightly, and there was no noise to be heard. Momma did a great job, considering the feral cat population around the building. There is a "litter box" collection of cat poop less than 12 feet away from this nest. Chick 4 hatched yesterday, and by today, the nest is empty. One of these days I'm going to actually see the actions momma goes through to move her brood. Wish I knew where they ended up.
Ain't nature grand?

We have a family of Kildeers every year at work. From what I've observed, the parents lead the chicks away and they quietly hide wherever they happen to stop. They roam the five, or so acres around the yard and forage for food.

The chicks have legs that look as long as their parents. They're strange looking; like brown puffs on top of chopsticks.

Pretty late to the party, but I loved the picture. Killdeer babies are like chicken well, chicks. They hatch ready to run (unlike songbird offspring, or little hawks, owls, eagles, etc.) Once all the eggs hatch, leaving is top priority. I think our killdeer lost their eggs to a weasel, skunk, possum, or raccoon. We had plenty of any of those, plus foxes and more.

Just wanted to report in that this year's Springerle were beautiful, and I followed your great instructions slavishly. Thanks!!! from all who got one.

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Gun control means being able to hit your target

About Me

about me. well:
i am a US Navy submarine veteran.
i work at a research reactor for a california university.
i met and married my second (and last) wife after growing up.
my waist line is now 10 inches longer than my inseam. that sux, but then, i've enjoyed every calorie.
i drink my coffee black.
i am an NRA Life Member.
i am the most liberal right wing radical republican i know. new favorite quote of the day: ""We have four boxes used to guarantee our liberty: The soap box, the ballot box, the jury box and the cartridge box". -- Ambrose Bierce (1887)"